The $75,000 grant is part of HTA’s Natural Resources Program through the Hawaii Community Foundation.

“It is wonderful to see the plants growing and students already learning and becoming engaged with the Children’s Discovery Forest,” HFIA Executive Director Heather Simmons said. “Our goal of reconnecting urban visitors with the Hawaiian forest is well on its way thanks to grants such as this most recent one from HTA.”

Once completed, the Children’s Discovery Forest near the entrance of the Honolulu Zoo will provide a representation of natural systems, including a vision of Hawaii before the arrival of humans.

The project will display culturally significant plant and tree species that once grew near traditional shoreline villages of Oahu.

It will also include the significance of place and the kuleana of malama aina (responsibility to care for the land) by integrating traditional Hawaiian forest ecosystems, forest stewardship opportunities, and innovative land-based education for residents and visitors.